# History of the Internet

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## Basic Internet Introduction

CyberLaw is a complex and rapidly changing field. In order to recognize and properly analyze legal issues, it is necessary that you have a basic understanding of Internet operations. This module will give you some understanding of the Internet and how it works. In addition, you will learn about the history of the Internet, Internet basics, and the basic tenets of Information Assurance.

## Meet the Internet

The Internet is a network of networks. When computers are connected for sharing information, for communications, or for sharing tasks, the wiring connecting them and the equipment controlling these connections is called a network. Every network of computers and every single computer which connects to the Internet becomes a part of the Internet. Multiple computers are connected using the Internet to accomplish a variety of capabilities, for example email, file transfers, instant messaging, and chat rooms. The Internet grew out of the work done to develop the Advanced Research Projects Agency network, or ARPANET.

## Evolution of the Internet

The Department of Defense, or DoD, launched ARPANET in 1969. The ARPANET was designed to allow defense researchers at various sites across the country to share scarce computer resources, communicate and collaborate. Most of the ARPANET locations were at universities involved in defense research. As you can see, the ARPANET was not designed with security in mind but was designed to promote openness and the sharing of information. The most popular use of the ARPANET was to send email. Additional features of the ARPANET included discussion groups, access to databases, and file transfer.

## Internet Timeline

Over the years, management of the ARPANET was transferred to the National Science Foundation, and in 1995, the Internet backbone was turned over to private enterprise. ARPANET had paved the way for the Internet. Select a year on the Internet timeline to learn more about the transformation of ARPANET to the Internet. When you have viewed the elements of the timeline, select the forward arrow.

## Check on Learning

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## Summary

The Internet is still growing after years of research and development. It has expanded to global connectivity. The revolutionary Internet served as the basis for a bigger revolution -- the World Wide Web. As we look at defensive measures and privacy, keep in mind that the Internet was originally designed around openness and information sharing. Let's look at how information flows from one computer to another.